Queensland Raceway Happy Laps (v.5) 27th May 2012 (breakfast)

[redline3345]

What kind of speeds are considered 'acceptable' at happy laps? (newbie at this stuff)

The QR track marshall gives a run down of what is expected of drivers, including max speeds in the briefing before letting you loose on the track. At Lakeside Park we were instructed to stay under 110km/hr max on the back of the track, but no limit was quoted for the front straight. In spite of a warning that exceeding the 110km/hr limit on the back of the track would result in being hauled off the track, a lot of people were exceeding that by the 2nd lap and they didn't seem perturbed.

[THE_EGG]

The QR track marshall gives a run down of what is expected of drivers, including max speeds in the briefing before letting you loose on the track. At Lakeside Park we were instructed to stay under 110km/hr max on the back of the track, but no limit was quoted for the front straight. In spite of a warning that exceeding the 110km/hr limit on the back of the track would result in being hauled off the track, a lot of people were exceeding that by the 2nd lap and they didn't seem perturbed.

woooooops I thought it was 120kmh. My bad.

[wegentop]

There are a couple of spots left mate - did you want 1 or 2 spots? If 2, is there a name for the 2nd spot?
Cheers

---------- Post added at 10:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:49 PM ----------



You're in mate!

---------- Post added at 10:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:51 PM ----------



Don,
I'm not having luck with them returning messages or emails - I'll try again tomorrow

Thank You ! Noted !

I will take 1 passenger with me!

[redline3345]

woooooops I thought it was 120kmh. My bad.

as I said mate, they weren't too worried!

---------- Post added at 11:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:37 PM ----------

Thank You ! Noted !

I will take 1 passenger with me!

I've updated the list. Incase you are not aware, passengers also need to pay.

[seangti]

Interested, but out of curiousity, what kind of terminal speeds do the 2.0T machines (like my 147TFSI Jetta, which is stock) reach on the QR circuit? I'd heard people say QR is much harder on brakes and tyres because there's lots of high speed and then hard slowing for hard cornering ...

Yup, what the others have said, most cars will nudge 170, the higher tuned and cornering cars 180km/h odd. The terminal speed is much the same as it's a hairpin onto the straight at QR, so you're starting your run from a lower speed (sprint and clubman circuit specific), whereas lakeside is down hill third gear. QR is harder on brakes and tyres as your average speed and throttle percentage is higher and braking markers later, so you can really lunge into the corners. Theres 2 big lunge corners where you'll be well into 4th gear going back to mid 3rd or high 2nd, and turn 1 will be entering 170ish to corner at 130-140, turn 2 is similar speed, so lots of load on the tyres. Awesome feel

[nat225]

so will it be the place to experience brake fade?

[seangti]

so will it be the place to experience brake fade?

if it's ever going to happen, 30mins at this place will do it. You'll also potentially experience tyre fade on street tyres if having a go. Though it may not be too obvious when not being timed and during happy lap protocol. Driving within the limits will lessen that occuring. You don't drive in the limits during sprints, it's 5 laps of glory

[Nardi330]

if brake fade is your concern, don't go fast for the whole 30mins. do a cool down lap or 2 if you feel the brakes and tyres are over heating and go fast again. just make sure you stay off the racing line as much as possible and check your mirrors.

[nat225]

and avoid following too close a car in front with BBK and semis? ;p

if brake fade is your concern, don't go fast for the whole 30mins. do a cool down lap or 2 if you feel the brakes and tyres are over heating and go fast again. just make sure you stay off the racing line as much as possible and check your mirrors.

[redline3345]

do we know what circuit yet?

Well well well...it looks like we should be using the full National Circuit for our Happy Laps! (This is due to us being the curtain raiser for the bikes on the same day) The National Circuit is 3.12 km and includes the long back straight (hopefully sans big bumps in the braking area now it’s been resurfaced). You can check out the track configurations at www.queenslandraceways.com.au


FYI - I also enquired regarding Insurance while driving on the track – I’m sure Clay probably already told us about this, but I probably missed it. The advice that Qld Raceways gave me is as follows:

Because the event is Happy Laps and we are deemed to be travelling at “normal” road speeds, your CTP insurance should provide cover in the event that something goes pear shaped. It should be considered the same as driving at road speeds on the road, as it is not racing or a timed event – it’s just a different bit of bitumen that we will be driving on. CTP policies should cover your passenger (if you have one) and/or any other driver/spectator that you inadvertently cause injury to, or the death of, during your outing on the track depending on what is detailed in your policy. Refer to your policy/Insurance company. Comprehensive insurance is another matter altogether, and is up to the individual’s Insurance company to determine if they will provide comprehensive cover while driving on a racetrack.

The following is not Qld Raceway advice, but merely personal opinion;

It would be surprised if any insurance company would be happy to cover you for comprehensive insurance (damage to your vehicle + damage to other vehicles and property) if your vehicle is involved in an accident on a racetrack, no matter what speed you were travelling at.

[team_v]

National Circuit:



Looks like Tarmac's R will get to test it's top speed on this one.
Also if we have any euro 6's/8's then this is where they will shine compared to lakeside.

[Royeee]

wow! full circuit.. That look exciting!! You may need to stand on the brake before T3

[THE_EGG]

More keeping left on the straights for me :'( I am going to get overtaken SO many times. One question though, can I still use the racing line in the corners??

[team_v]

More keeping left on the straights for me :'( I am going to get overtaken SO many times. One question though, can I still use the racing line in the corners??

You should be right to use the racing line so long as everyone follows the rules and doesn't overtake on corners.

Also once out of the corner if you stick to the left they can overtake

I will probably be a bit slower on this one too.

[redline3345]

More keeping left on the straights for me :'( I am going to get overtaken SO many times. One question though, can I still use the racing line in the corners??

The briefing will give you the best approach for what to do out there - common sense dictates that you let cars pass on the straight if/when safe as you mentioned and corners are generally not the place to pass or be passed, especially as it is Happy Laps and not a race.